Boy Erased

Let Me Explain (pt.3) ✔️

I feel someone shaking me and I whine not wanting to get up. I force my eyes open but close them because it's too bright. It takes my eyes a few minutes to adjust. I look up and see Frankie standing over me. I sit up and groan holding my throbbing head.

"Come on Nik I have to get back to the house before Maria calls my caseworker. She'll tell her I left and I'm not leaving you here." Frankie says.

I sigh and rub my eyes hoping that will wake me up a little. I use all the strength in my body and force myself off the ground. I stumble a little so Frankie grabs onto me and I laugh.

"How are you getting home?" Frankie asks.

I look around and think about how I got here then remember my skateboard. I pull away from Frankie and grab my board.

"Nik you can't even walk straight there's no way I'm letting you ride this home." Frankie says.

"Well, how the fuck am I getting there then?" I ask laughing.

Damn, maybe those pills hit a little too hard. oops.

"Come on I'll walk you home."

"No, you have to get back to your house. You know Marie won't hesitate to call your caseworker and I'm not going to be the reason you get moved to another home."

Frankie groans and I smile pulling her into me and pressing my lips against hers. We pull apart and I can see how red her face is. Frankie giggles and I pull her in for a hug.

"You go home and I'm gonna go home. You're gonna call me when you get there."

Frankie nods her head and we make sure we have all our shit. Leaving the hidden area we make our way through the park. I give Frankie one last hug before hopping on my board and riding in the opposite direction. I stumble a bit before getting the hang of riding while still slightly intoxicated. I stop at Dunkin to get a coffee and donut which helps my head and nausea. I turn my phone on and it starts blowing up with notifications. I have missed calls from Mom and Mave, and messages from Julie and Oak. I read Oak's message first.

-
Oak: Please don't be doing stupid shit

Oak: I forgot who I was talking to.. smh

Oak: You better bring your ass here when you get your shit together!

Me: I'm okay I'm coming over
-

I switch and check Julie's text.

-
Julie: WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!

Julie: Guess I should be used to this by now..

Julie: Mom is freaking just come home

Julie: please 😔

Me: im okay

Me: I'm sorry
-

I feel bad after reading Julie's messages. I don't care about Mom freaking out but I do care about Julie's feelings. She's my twin it's hard not to care about her feelings. I finish my food and hop back on my board and head to Oak's house. Before I get there I text Oak and let her know I'm outside. Oak opens the back door for me and we head upstairs to her room.

"Nikolai."

I groan stopping halfway up the stairs and turning around to see Gabby. She has a disappointed look on her face and motions for me to come down the stairs. Oak pats my back and heads to her room. Once again Gabby brings me to her office. I sit on the couch opposite her.

"Where were you? Your mom came over here and she was really worried."

"Yeah, I bet she was really worried"

"Nik, she loves you."

I roll my eyes and lay my head on the back of the couch.

"So are you going to tell me where you were?"

"Out getting drunk and high out of my mind."

I look at Gabby and she just nods her head. I don't know if she believes me or just thinks I'm being sarcastic.

"I'm really worried about you."

"Yeah, I'm really worried about me too."

Gabby sighs and stands up moving so she is sitting next to me. I lay my head on her shoulder and Gabby kisses the top of my head making me smile. I get up and go upstairs to Oak's room. I open the door and she's laying on her bed watching TV.

"So am I just supposed to get used to you disappearing for hours without giving anybody a heads up?" Oak asks.

"Look, I'm sorry." I lay down next to Oak, "Things just suck right now. They suck a lot."

There's a knock on the door and Gabby comes into the room.

"It's time for you to go home Nik." Gabby says.

I sigh and close my eyes enjoying what's left of the bit of freedom I have. Gabby kisses my forehead before leaving the room.

"I know your Mom is going to ground your ass. But knowing her and what happened at school yesterday something tells me you were already grounded." Oak laughs.

"If I don't text you it's because I don't have a phone. If that's the case I'll see you at school Monday."

We both get up and make our way downstairs. I hug Oak when we get to the front door. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. I walk down the steps of Oak's front yard and hop on my board. I take my time getting to my house. When I get home I rummage through my bag looking for my key. Before I can find it the front door opens, it's Dad.

"Well look who's decided to come home."

"Look I'm not in the mood, can you just let me in the house?"

"We already talked about the way you speak to me!"

"Talked! You barely even look at me let alone talk to me! Man fuck off."

I say fuck the front door and walk around to the backyard. I leave my skateboard in the yard before climbing up the tree. I make it to my window and thank god it's unlocked. I throw my bag on my bed and strip out of the dirty clothes. I throw on some sweats and a hoodie. Grabbing my bookbag I open it and take the mason jar. I put it in my hiding spot, a floorboard under my bed that's loose. I put the mason jar in and look and the other shit I have in the floor. My eyes go to the baggy of pills. I shake my head and put everything back before heading downstairs.

"We need to talk."